A Mens' Group

Jan. 6/03 Monday, Sunny and warm, +6
I am starting a new file for the year 2003 although I have written a few days in the April file.
A warm front has come in from the Pacific and parked itself over Alberta so we are enjoying summer type weather.
Did not get a chance to write during the week end because of laziness, playing with the solitaire game and just did not feel like it.
Today I have a different attitude.
I talked to Susan last night after five or six days because she called. She was feeling quite left out and lonely. I am keeping busy but still do not feel relaxed; my back is hurting a little. She has been busy with Christmas activities and is going back to work on Monday. I was not very enthusiastic in our conversation. We talked about other people, Fred and Sue and not very much about us. Her dad is OK and her brother is off on holiday down south. I did not bring up the stuff for the security in her condo. She will have to ask about it.
The meeting on Thursday with the guys, except Everett and Jim was the same old, same old. Peter is complaining about Linette and her not understanding things.
Sometimes I wonder.
Cory called to chat last night. He has had a difficult time with the bank and their workings. He was a little frustrated and all I did was say the appropriate things and did not offer to fix it. I think that it was all he wanted. I will have to continue to be aware that I cannot fix his money problems. This is something Cory will have to learn to do.
Work was quite busy and the time went quickly; I arrived at the show home at five in the afternoon.
John still does not have cell phone and I have to meet with him. Met with Raj Singh about the new home he wants to build with his sister. I took some pictures of a lot for a client from Vancouver and spent some time with John bringing him up to speed on the clients that I am working with. Some clients are coming in this weekend and I am doing a quote for them for a bungalow.
I called out to get some new prices for items from some suppliers. It will show John that I do not want to depend on him for the pricing all the time. I am leaning toward getting a PDA for storing all the information that I am starting to accumulate about suppliers and product. After the next pay check, I will look into the devices more closely.
Dana and Stephanie are off to the south for a week. Margaret is still getting migraine headaches which are starting to wear on Cory. I did not ask him about his friend from Rosedale.
I am thinking about pushing back my massage for a week and going up to the mountains at the end of January
I had a short but pleasant conversation with a couple of women at the coffee shop while waiting for Raj to show up. It was silly but fun, I guess women will still talk to me.
I will consider Susan Ruddick for the job of hostess at the new show home when it opens in March. I have had a short conversation with Chris and John about the situation but will have to fill in the details further along the way.
Ron played squash with Warren and me on Saturday. Ron is still getting very angry when things do not go his way. Warren is starting to confront Ron about his playing style.

Wednesday, Jan. 8. The warm weather is blowing away with the strong North West winds.
Mother and I had lunch today. She is in fine form and feeling a little better after the Xmas activity. She is complaining about the hectic rush of people coming and going. All in all she is doing fine saying that she is not going to Terry’s for Ukrainian Xmas when Lesel comes down at the end of the month. I am arranging for Cheryl to take her down since she will eventually change her mind.
Gillian called tonight to suggest that she would fly down to arrange a birthday party for mother’s 85th birthday. Gillian is feeling a little bit down after some of her friends have passed away during the last few months. She does not want to miss out on any time that could be spent with mother. I suggested that now was not the good time to come down; perhaps in the end of summer or fall. Gillian is going to Europe for two weddings in May to June.
I pushed back my massage a week and have booked two nights in Jasper at the end of the month to get out of town. I may go skiing or I may not.
Jim called mother to chat and passed on that all is well with his family.

Sunday, Jan. 12/03, Sunny Very cold - 21, quite bright and sunny
Finally got to stay home last night.
Went to see Devin play hockey on Friday, dropped over and had a beer with Shirley at her place after the hockey game. It was interesting to watch the little guys and girls suited up and playing hockey. There was quite a bit of enthusiasm from the parents and coaches. Since the game took place outside I had to lend Shirley a hat to keep her head warm. She said that Susan Scott, a writer from Calgary, was pleasantly surprised with my ability to converse at the dinner party that Shirley had created several weeks previous. Those present represented the literary side of Shirley’s life. Friends, acquaintances and fellow workers that she had made over the years that she had spent in the journalism field. I will have to make a point of calling her to have coffee when and if she is in Edmonton.
Talked to Cheryl at the hotel a couple of days ago; had lunch and caught up on her escapades. After dinner we made sure that we coordinated our activities for the Xmas dinner at Terry’s place in regards to mother and her participation and transportation.
Work activity has continued with all the financing in place for the new homes but the lot availability is still in question.
My client from Vancouver wants to move to another lot because of the electrical box on the front of her property. She is in discussion on lot 15 in the new area. Canyon Springs, another home builder, is talking to her. I will have to talk with John about getting the lot from Western Living if Canyon Springs is interested in it. We should have an answer from Lucy and Homexx on Monday. Jeff Johnson will tell us about the lot 6 for Mersereaus. Raj will want a quote for his sister on Lot 24 and I expect he will not be pleased with the prices. I am meeting with Andy Ho and his brother for lot 24 and a house, for which he has plans, on Tuesday evening.
Dana and Stephanie should be back from their vacation today. I expect he had a good time all tanned and happy. Terry called to make sure I would come to the Xmas party. He wants me to bring my home design stuff along so we can create some plans for the new home he wants. He does not want to let mother know what is going on. She will probably think that he is spending her money.
Everett was very talkative on Thursday about being in the present and how his thinking has changed since read a new book. He had Warren talking a great deal. Hector is recuperating nicely and is starting to get more movement in his arms. He was meeting with some doctors to go over his contracting for the research project. He is getting more comfortable with the idea of a consultant work process.

Saturday 25, Cold, much snow in last three day, and cloudy today
Two weeks have passed quickly.
• Several clients came in to begin home construction with me.
• I am in the final stages with my client from Vancouver to build a home in new Potter Greens. All we have to ensure is that Western Living will get the lot for us. Dianna, the owner, is sending all the paper back to us with the correct signatures.
• Drury is going to build a Pinehurst on a lot a couple lots down from the show home. He is getting financing with Deb, who could foresee no problems.
• I was told that Lucy came in with the money on Friday and I will be able to bill on Monday.
• I am working on a plan and quote for Kevin B from Sherwood Park.
• Andy Ho’s brother has not responded yet.
Shirley and I had coffee on Friday catching up on her activities over the past few weeks. She and Devin are going skiing this weekend if the weather is nice. It has been very cold and has snowed 10 inches over the past several days with more snow to come.
Gillian arrived on Thursday for mother’s birthday party on Saturday. She was in quite an agitated state over her next door neighbor’s actions. I spent some time calming her down. We all had lunch at Cheryl’s hotel with mother on Friday. Terry picked up Lesel and Mother and drove them out to the farm on Friday. I will be driving out after work if the weather is OK. Jim may be coming down; I am not sure. Gillian seems to be staying in control and not interfering with everyone’s activities.
Warren and I had a beer after last Monday’s squash game where he informed me that he met his 23 year old son for coffee on the previous Saturday. He had never mentioned this to the men’s group before although he knew of his son’s existence. He was seeing a woman who got pregnant while they were together, wanted to get married, Warren decided he did not want to and parted company, She had the child, got married, had two more children and raised the child in the family. She contacted Warren who agreed to meet with the boy.
Hector did not get the contract with the Doctors for the research project I was informed. I have not talked with him about it but Warren said Hector is processing the information and will handle the rejection well.

Sunday, Jan 26, cloudy and snowing, -13
The Xmas / birthday party for Mom, Lesel and Cheryl was quite successful last night. Jim and Marion and some of their family, Derek, Quenton drove up from Calgary and Edmonton to be at the events for the evening. Merci put on a good spread and everyone enjoyed themselves. Gillian was even a little restrained in moving people around for the pictures. Merci’s eyes flashed with anger occasionally but the event moved on nicely. I drove mom and Gillian back in the night. The south wind was blowing snow onto the highway and making small drifts. They kept mother’s attention as we hit them. It brought back memories of the truck accident she had many years ago. Grace was there with her son Wade. She was in a good mood and there were a great many laughs and stories shared. Cheryl even brought along Darrel who was in a quiet but happy mood. I am not sure why Cheryl brought him along except she was asked to by Terry and Mother. Lesel and Kalle showed pictures of their trip to Mexico last November. The photos showed a beautiful place. They are doing a great deal of hiking and trail climbing when they travel. They bought a jeep to get around and are enjoying the used vehicle a great deal. Cheryl is bringing them back today to catch a flight to Vancouver and then back to San Francisco. They invited me down to San Francisco in the future. I am looking forward to going.
Gillian had some good discussions with Terry and Jim. Quenton has delayed his flying lessons because of medical concerns.
Wade is enjoying his work at the welding shop but does not see it as a long term place to work because of the conditions.
Anyway the day progresses, the traffic is starting to get larger in numbers, more comments later.

Sat. Feb. 1/03, Cloudy, warm, -2 Feb. 2, Sunday,
Got back to the show home safe and sound with only a few aches and bruises.
The trip up to Jasper was great. The skiing in Jasper was average to poor. Even on the green runs, I had to look for the rocks and the ground that was barely covered by the snow. There were very few people around on Thursday and Friday. The hotel and the businesses were not doing well. The people started coming in Friday night but it never got busy. I had a drink at the Jasper Park Lodge, the lounge was empty. Some groups were having meetings but there were only a few people around. Jasper has very little snow on the ground and only a small ground cover in the ski areas. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I chatted with several guests at the hotel who were skiing in the area and sightseeing. This area represents some of the most beautiful natural landscape in the world most out of province travelers confirmed.
Terry and Merci had lunch with Gillian, Mother and me at the Mirabel on Wednesday and everyone got along.
Mother was concerned about me going skiing but she was quite calm about it.
Gillian continues to restrain herself about the goings on in her life. The decision about her neighbor’s home variance meeting was to happen in the afternoon so I still do not know the result or the impact on Gillian’s home.
Jeff was asked by Victoria for a divorce after they came back from their skiing holiday. She is moving the children back to Edmonton for the remainder of the year. Jeff is in a state of shock and is having a difficult time dealing with the decision by Victoria.
Warren and I are to have a squash game on Sunday, before I drive him to the airport for his trip to see his mom in Europe.
I will be driving Gillian to catch her plan early Monday morning.
The traffic at the show home has been slow but the serious people are coming in and deciding to build home. Ed called to say that he wanted to continue with the Cascade in the West end. I am to meet him in the week and discuss his needs. Walter wants to start in March and does not seem to realize that we have to start with the blue prints now. I will be meeting with him this week also.
I got paid for Lucy and was able to cover off all my bills with a little money left over. I will have to start on the RRSP before the end of the month and then let the income tax take care of itself in the months of March and April.

Sunday, Feb. 9 Sunny and warm +1,
Only light traffic on Sunday. Drury’s came in to confirm some ideas; possibly a walk out basement to match the neighbor’s homes.
Iona M came in to take some photos of the house.
Cory called last night and we chatted. He is getting along with his calendar design and work for Greg. Nothing is happening in the film industry at the moment. He will be filing his income tax to get some money back as soon as possible. He chatted about Eleanor, a previous girlfriend from the Rosedale area, who was saddened by the events in her parent’s life. He said that Eleanor’s parents are splitting up and it is hard on her but he will help her through it.
I picked up Gillian and stopped by Cheryl’s place for a bit, dropped Gillian at the airport before heading home and crashing for the night.
Played squash with Warren in the morning. Had a great set of games and was fortunate to win the final game. He is in a strange mood because things are not moving as fast as he would like in his business plans.
He and Hector were the only ones at the group session. He had a good talk with Hector but said that without me there not much happens. Jim did not come back, so I guess that he is gone from the group. Too bad.
I am meeting Walter and h is wife on Wednesday to get the information to do up the blue prints for his new home.

Saturday, Feb. 8/03 Cloudy, -2, snowing a little Sunday, Feb. 9
The week has been productive.
Kent Smith and Janette came in to do a deal on a bungalow. Mike and Michelle did a deal on a 2 storey in Strata, showed them Scott B’s home on Saturday to allow them to get a sense of size and space. Ed continues to look at the Cascade in either Lewis Estates or Donsdale. On Friday he asked me to send him some more information on the lots and prices in Donsdale for building in Aug. I was told that Canyon Homes controls everything in Lewis Estates at the moment and are not releasing any lots. John will talk to Nick at Western Homes to confirm the lot for Man. I met with Walter and Vanessa Rayne to get some more info about the bungalow so we could do up blue prints which should be done by next week. Debbie has come in and is still confused about the house they want to build on the corner lot. No hurry here.
I dropped by the Galleria for a drink to see what the bar was like; a great deal of music, body movement and heat.
Warren is in Europe and will be back on Thursday.
Gillian is safely in Toronto and I have not heard from her yet. I am sure that she has talked to mother. Lunch with mom is coming up on Wednesday.
Derek and I have completed plans for the RRSP season that ends at the end of the month.
I dropped by the Ed Flying Club to see what changes have occurred during the past month.
Kristine has moved on the dispatching at Morningside, an Aviation Company, and is enjoying the stability of a pay check. Dennis is retiring from the club. They have a perky young blonde marketing agent that is spreading the word about the club. Still no word about the new proposed Government landing fee that is going to apply to all aircraft that land at the airport. Cheryl has gotten her strength back and caught up on her sleep after Gillian has left. She said that she was a little depressed at her father’s attitude.
Cory is changing his logo for the company and asked for some suggestions.
Life is good with everything considered.
Susan and Fred are doing nothing different with Kelsey so nothing will change until Kelsey decides.
Cory called last night to chat and discuss his web page. He had a head cold and was feeling a little down. He said that Dana was working on some puppet shows and was keeping busy
It continues to snow which will make a lot of farmers a little happy because of the potential for wet fields this spring. The weekend warrior townspeople on their snow machines are also happy.
Had a good sleep last night and feel quite relaxed today.

Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 16, cloudy and warm - 1, snowing lightly
Week went by reasonably well. Attended to the deals that were written.
Warren was in Europe so I was not playing any squash. Booked some appointments to go flying but the weather was snow and clouds and mist for the week, except on Wednesday. I rebooked for next Thursday but the forecast is for snow. I did some studying on the Piper, a new airplane and learned a few things.
Susan R sent in a profile to allow her to do some home sitting for me when the Starter homes are open in March.
Had a coffee with Cheryl, she shared her frustrations with quitting smoking and her family. We had a good talk and she was able to vent a little.
Cynthia called for a lunch date on Tuesday. She wants to talk about her guy and some of his antics. Shirley called to wish me a happy valentine’s day before she went skiing on Saturday to Lake Louise with Devin.
I picked up Warren at the airport on Thursday evening and delivered him home. We played a round of squash on Monday, short series and then hit the steam room. We discussed his good trip to see his mom and family. He had a good time and is happy that he went. Now he has to get back up to speed in Edmonton.
The lot swap came together for my Vancouver client in Potter Greens. We are getting the blue prints ready to show her next week.
Cory has sent me some e mails about the cars he is designing but I have not heard from Dana.
Monday is a family day holiday. I will be having lunch with Mother on Wednesday to catch up on her discussions with Steph and Gillian.
Cheryl was saying that Terry is still living in the past and angry about what has happened and continues to blame things on other people. Steph is the same way, Cheryl said and she is getting tired of it. She really does not want to see her family for a while and feels a little guilty about it. She asked me for the name of Dr. Tom so that she might arrange to talk to someone. She is trying to quit smoking and feels quite out of control.
The weather continues to be winter. Slow traffic on Sunday.
Gillian called last night and left a message while I was at the movies. She was going to send me a fax about a letter that was sent to someone about the problems she is causing in the neighborhood. She was sounding quite out of it and I doubt if she will remember calling me. I received no fax so we will have to wait and see.
Cheryl and I will spend some time together discussing the amount that she is drinking. It will be a major change for Cheryl to slow down her drinking considering how central it is to her lifestyle. She will have a great deal of pressure from her people to continue drinking.
I will have to take a trip down to San Francisco to see Lesel and Kalle sometime this year and get to enjoy their lovely city.

Saturday, Feb. 22, Cold, Sunny - 21 Sunday, Feb. 23, winter has returned
This week has been one of winter. Snowing with winds, then the cold weather came in. Today is bright and clear. Heavy snows were reported in Red Deer when the two weather systems met. Traffic has been slow during the week but I have been busy with paper work on the deals that were brought in.
Chris has left for a week of skiing down south.
John and I met with Walter and Vanessa at Cam’s home to go over the blue print moving forward on their home. The print turned out well and we are meeting with them next week to redo the print and get some pricing on the house. We should start construction in April.
Smith signed off on the bungalow and I sent a blue print to my Vancouver client.
Novakowski’s blue print is ready and they will sign off this weekend.
I had coffee with Shirley on Friday and talked about Devin and some of the events in her life. Shirley commented that she was very moved that I said that I cared and missed her when she moved to Toronto. She was moved more than she expected. Her ski trip with Devin to Sunshine was great fun and has encouraged her to set a trip to Spain to see her sister in March during spring break.
Dana called to say that he is still not working but is doing things around the house and keeping busy.
Cory is proceeding with his calendars and will send me some when I send him the money.
Lunch was quick and easy with Mom, Terry and Merci on Wednesday. Terry and Merci dropped by at the show home and we drew up and discussed plans for a bungalow with a walk out on the property back home. He has created a strange mixture of trying to build an inexpensive home and spending money on expensive items like a furnace, metal roof and walk out with a great deal of windows.
Coffee with Cynthia was pleasant with her giving me a small gift.
She is moving away from Bill and his antics. She has changed the locks on her home doors and regulated how much time he is spending over at her place. She seems to be moving on and is contented in doing so.
The men’s group was uneventful.
Peter talked about how great his kid was.
Everett said that his inability to take a holiday came from some very deep issues from his growing up days.
Hector was taking night courses to become more educated to get a job.
Warren made the point that he was going to have to change his way of thinking if he wanted to get a job. I listened and said everything was alright.
Warren was asked if another guy could join the group by Dr. Joe. We all said yes if Jim from Nait was not coming back
The weather was cold on Friday and I did not feel like going out. I had bought some sweats and lounged around the apt. in the evening. I woke up feeling more tired than if I had gone out. I played squash with Warren on Saturday morning with Ron joining us. I had some good games but am in no mood to beat Ron. He displayed a great deal of restraint and it was enjoyable playing against him. I felt better after the games and may go out to movie tonight.
I had a look at some two bedroom apt. on the south side of the river that might work with Derek and me. I will discuss it further when we meet to do up the RRSP’s this coming week.
Cory called last night and we discussed the calendar he has created. I ordered 10 and he will send them out for me to pass onto the interested people. Work is good for him with Greg. There is still nothing with the film industry but it is not a high priority for him. Biking has not been that good with the terrible weather in Toronto but with March coming, things should get better.
I called Gillian last night to get the latest information on her house problems. She continues the hectic activity and has been able to get many more people involved with the decision making process. The letter to the people and city department has taken on a life of its own and has many people falling over themselves to be involved in the final draft. It is interesting how her energy makes so many people run around in frenzy. The neighbors continue to play their word games to frighten the block of people.
Simon is coming back with Katie to take charge of the situation and should be a stabilizing influence.
I am not sleeping well and have not been laughing enough.